Custom foot orthotics are an important factor in maintaining proper foot health. The aim of custom foot orthotics is to help reduce stress on the tissues in your foot and lower limb, rather than “realign” your foot or putting it into a ‘neutral’ position.
Recent research shows that one “ideal” alignment doesn’t exist and that different feet need different levels of support and offloading, even when they look or function the same.
What is the point of orthotics?
Custom foot orthotics aim to reduce stress on certain tissues of the foot and lower limb by altering and supporting joint movement.
This helps to optimise how force is transmitted through the foot and lower limb thereby, reducing stress and strain on joints/muscle/tendons/ligaments. This may help to reduce injury.
How will they help?
Customised orthotics are moulded to the individual’s foot which helps shock to be absorbed and distributed evenly throughout the foot. There will usually be a wedge added either laterally or medially at the heel depending on whether the foot is flat (pronated) or high arched (supinated).
Depending on the individual’s presentation there may be additions made at the forefoot and the materials used to make the orthotic will be determined by how much control/mobility is required by the individual patient.
Orthotics help with the following conditions:
- Metatarsalgia
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Achilles Tendinopothy
- Arthritis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Instability
The right combination of orthotic features that are suitable for your foot type and to address your individual presentation will be chosen by your physiotherapist.
Do I need custom orthotics?
We consider two common reasons for using custom foot orthotics:
1.Your foot biomechanics are the cause of your pain
2.Your foot biomechanics need to be altered temporarily to offload a sensitive structure in order to allow recovery
Orthotics are a useful tool we have to help to offload/support sensitive structures however they should always be used alongside an individualised rehab program to address the specific injury/condition.
Remember
If you are interested in booking an appointment with one of our Chartered Physiotherapists that specialise in Biomechanics or simply need some guidance, then please give us a call on 021 4633455 or book online below.
We hope you enjoyed this blog by Carol O’Brien, Chartered Physiotherapist
This blog is provided for information purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Seek the advice of your doctor with any queries regarding a medical condition.